If you walked into Carver-Hawkeye Arena this past Friday night, you probably expected a dogfight. Iowa at home? Under the lights? That’s usually where dreams go to die for visiting teams. But what happened was basically a clinical demolition. Penn State didn't just win; they left the building with a 32-3 scoreline that felt even wider than the numbers suggest.
Honestly, looking at the current penn state wrestling rankings, it’s starting to feel like the rest of the NCAA is playing for second place.
Cael Sanderson has built a machine in State College that doesn't just reload—it evolves. As of late January 2026, the Nittany Lions sit firmly at No. 1 in the NWCA Coaches Poll, and it’s not particularly close. They’ve grabbed nearly every first-place vote, with only a stray few going to Ohio State.
The Absolute Dominance of the Individual Rankings
You've gotta look at the weight classes to really get it. It isn't just one or two superstars carrying the bag. It’s everyone.
Right now, Penn State has four guys sitting at the literal top of their weight classes in the InterMat and FloWrestling rankings.
Shayne Van Ness is the man at 149. After some injury hurdles in the past, he looks like he’s wrestling in high definition while everyone else is on 480p. Then you have Mitchell Mesenbrink at 165. The guy is a human whirlwind. He just tech-falled his way through the first half of the season and recently dismantled No. 3 Mikey Caliendo with an 11-2 major decision.
At 174, Levi Haines is doing Levi Haines things. He’s the No. 1 for a reason. He’s technical, he’s mean on the mat, and he just doesn't make mistakes. And don't forget Josh Barr at 197. He’s holding down that top spot too, recently pinning his way through the Iowa dual.
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But the real story? It’s the "new" kids.
Why the Freshman Class is Terrifying
Usually, you expect a true freshman to hit a wall in the Big Ten. The travel, the weight cuts, the grown-man strength—it's a lot.
Marcus Blaze and PJ Duke apparently didn't get the memo.
Blaze is currently ranked No. 4 at 133 pounds. He’s 12-0. He just went into Iowa City and beat Drake Ayala in a 4-2 decision. He's a freshman!
Then there’s PJ Duke at 157. He jumped up to No. 3 or No. 4 depending on which poll you're staring at this week. He took down Jordan Williams 4-2 on Friday. These aren't just wins; they are statements.
And we have to talk about the heavyweights. Cole Mirasola was ranked around No. 13 or No. 15 entering the weekend. He then went out and beat No. 5 Ben Kueter. That’s the kind of jump that ruins a ranker’s sleep schedule. Mirasola is likely soaring into the top 10 by Tuesday.
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Breaking Down the Top 10 Presence
It's sort of ridiculous when you list it out. Nearly the entire lineup is in the top 10.
- 125: Luke Lilledahl (No. 2) – He's 10-0 and just beat Dean Peterson.
- 133: Marcus Blaze (No. 4) – The freshman phenom.
- 141: Braeden Davis (No. 7) – Had a tough 3-2 loss to Nasir Bailey, but he’s still elite.
- 149: Shayne Van Ness (No. 1) – The gold standard.
- 157: PJ Duke (No. 4) – Climbing the ladder fast.
- 165: Mitchell Mesenbrink (No. 1) – P4P king contender.
- 174: Levi Haines (No. 1) – Unshakeable.
- 184: Rocco Welsh (No. 4) – Just beat the No. 1 ranked Angelo Ferrari in a tiebreaker. Expect him to be the new No. 1 or No. 2 next week.
- 197: Josh Barr (No. 1) – Dominant.
- 285: Cole Mirasola (No. 13... for now) – The giant killer.
When your "weak link" is a guy ranked 13th who just beat the No. 5 guy, you aren't just a good team. You're a dynasty in the middle of a heater.
The Big Ten Landscape and the 79-Match Streak
The penn state wrestling rankings aren't just about individual glory; they reflect a dual-meet dominance we haven't seen in decades. Penn State just hit 79 consecutive dual wins.
Think about that.
They haven't lost a dual since 2020. In the Big Ten, that’s almost impossible. You have Nebraska at No. 2, Iowa at No. 3 or 4, and Ohio State lurking at No. 2. Any of those teams would be the favorite in any other era.
But Cael's crew is outscoring Top 5 opponents like Iowa by thirty points. 32-3? That’s not a rivalry; that’s a takeover.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Rankings
A lot of casual fans think these rankings are static. They aren't. They're a snapshot of "what have you done for me lately."
Take Rocco Welsh. People were worried about him at 184 because Angelo Ferrari was the "it" guy. Then Welsh goes into the snake pit, wrestles a disciplined tiebreaker, and wins 2-1. Suddenly, the 184-pound penn state wrestling rankings look completely different.
The depth is the real secret. If a guy like Aaron Nagao (who is world-class) isn't in the starting ten, it tells you everything you need to know about the room in State College.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following the season toward the NCAA Championships in March, keep your eyes on the bonus points. Penn State isn't just winning decisions; they are hunting for majors, techs, and pins.
Watch the 141-pound slot: This is the one place where Penn State showed a tiny bit of mortality recently. Braeden Davis is great, but that 3-2 loss to Nasir Bailey shows the field is still competitive there.
Monitor the 285-pound jump: Cole Mirasola’s win over Kueter is a massive data point. Heavyweight is often about momentum. If Mirasola keeps this up, Penn State could realistically crown five or six individual national champions this year.
Check the Tuesday updates: The NWCA and InterMat polls usually drop on Tuesdays. After the Iowa beatdown, expect the point gap between Penn State and No. 2 Ohio State to widen significantly.
The Nittany Lions are the safest bet in sports right now. Whether you're a die-hard alum or just a fan of elite performance, the way this team is positioned in the rankings suggests we are watching history in real-time.